BR112021007432A2 - locking mechanism system and tool - Google Patents

Abstract

SYSTEM AND TOOL OF MECHANISM LOCK. The present invention refers to a mechanism or tool lock (10) with adaptation for connection to an operated vehicle remotely (20) and adapted for at least one of the group consisting of connecting and disconnecting two cards (40, 50). The present invention also refers to a system (100) adapted to at least one of the group which consists of connecting and disconnecting two boards, and the system comprises said locking mechanism or tool (10).

Description

"LOCKING MECHANISM SYSTEM AND TOOL"

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking mechanism or tool and a system adapted for at least one of: connection and/or disconnection of two quick multi-connectors for subsea applications.

[0002] Some locking mechanisms of the mechanical type for underwater use are known, and the coupling is performed by using threaded rod bar(s) and/or torque tool(s). This makes the installation process(es) or phase(s) very time-consuming.

[0003] Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a locking mechanism or tool and a me system for subsea applications that enable a fast timing for coupling and locking of different subsea pairs.

[0004] Another object of the invention is to provide an improved connection and a tool or locking mechanism and a system for connecting an outer end to a permanent subsea installation or fixed host structure.

[0005] Another objective of the invention is to provide a tool or mechanism for locking fault-free and such a system.

[0006] Yet another objective of the invention is to provide low cost process(es) or phase(s) of operation or installation.

[0007] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a locking mechanism or tool and a locking mechanism system for subsea applications that conform to the subsea requirements defined by an operator and/or authority.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, this is achieved with a tool or mechanism for subsea use with adaptation for connecting and disconnecting a floating plate and a fixed plate.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the invention, this is achieved with a system that uses such a tool or mechanism.

[0010] The main features of this invention are presented in the independent claims. Additional features of the present invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0011] The invention teaches a tool adapted for at least one of: connecting and/or disconnecting a set of floating plate and fixed plate. The tool comprises a sliding bushing and a front compartment. The front housing mounts on the slip bushing and partially covers the slip bushing. A main drive shaft is movably disposed inside the sliding bushing. The push rod has a cone at one end of the push rod. The push rod is axially movably disposed within the main drive shaft in order to operate radially to one or more bolts. The tool additionally comprises one or more pistons in the slip sleeve. Each plunger is arranged to be radially movable within the slip bushing so that each plunger is adapted to be extended outwardly and radially upon being subjected to a force. The slip bushing additionally comprises one or more radial holes therein. Each radial hole is connected, on one side, to a hydraulic source channel [see page 7] in the front housing and, on the other side, to a respective axial channel. Each channel is arranged on the sliding bushing and dedicated to additional connection to its respective plunger. Said one or more piston(s) is(are) adapted to be hydraulically operated by a hydraulic fluid supplied by a source of hydraulic fluid.

[0012] On its outer side, each plunger has a semi-spherical shape.

[0013] Each bolt has a toroidal outer shape, with several bolts arranged around the cone forming a segmented ring shape.

[0014] Each plunger comprises a plunger collar at its inner end section. Each plunger is disposed in a plunger hole in the slip bushing. A plunger retainer is disposed in the bore so as to abut the plunger collar. A plunger spring is disposed between the plunger retainer and the plunger collar.

[0015] A rear end section of the main drive shaft is provided with a chamber, and a push rod piston is arranged. A retract spring is forced between the tappet piston and the inner surface of the chamber.

[0016] A tool's main piston is attached to and surrounds its main drive shaft. A master cylinder is slidably connected to and encircles the master piston. The master cylinder has a rear end and a trailing end, with a first master cylinder plug being disposed at the rear end of the master cylinder, and a second master cylinder plug being disposed at the front end of the master cylinder. Plugs are slidably connected to the main drive shaft and secured to the end sections of the main cylinder. A first fluid chamber is formed between the main drive shaft, the main cylinder, the first main cylinder plug and the main piston. A second fluid chamber is formed between the main drive shaft, the main cylinder, the main piston and the second main cylinder cap. The fluid chambers are in fluid communication with a source of hydraulic fluid so that hydraulic fluid can be inserted or left out of the fluid chambers in order to move the main piston and thereby the main drive shaft.

[0017] The invention also teaches a system adapted for at least one of: connecting and/or disconnecting a set of floating plate and a fixed plate. The floating plate and fixed plate assembly comprises multiple connectors. The system comprises the aforementioned tool, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the outer/floating plate disposed at one end of a beam, the inner/fixed plate mounted to a host structure or subsea installation. The locking tool is adapted to be connected to the ROV. The tool is additionally adapted for at least one of: connecting and/or disconnecting the boards. [see page 4]

[0018] The host structure can be at least one of: christmas tree, pipe, subsea distribution unit (SDU), umbilical termination assembly (UTA).

[0019] Plates may be perforated multi-multiple quick connect/connector (MQC) plates.

[0020] The plates may additionally comprise coarse and fine guidance means/mechanisms.

[0021] The beam is adapted for connecting two host structures.

[0022] These and other aspects of the invention are evident and will be further elucidated, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 shows a system for subsea applications, according to the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 shows a system, according to the invention, with an internal/fixed plate, an external/floating plate and an ROV tool that must be coupled and/or connected together.

[0025] Figure 3 illustrates a cross section of the floating plate and the tool, according to the invention.

[0026] Figures 4a to 4c illustrate the tool and the floating plate connected, according to the invention.

[0027] Figures 5a to 5c show in detail the coupling between the tool and the fixed plate in Figure 4a.

[0028] Figures 6a to 6b show in detail other elements of the locking mechanism or tool that are used if hydraulic energy is removed and/or lost.

[0029] Figures 7a to 7d illustrate in detail additional elements of the locking mechanism or tool, such as a locking piston (Figures 7a to 7c) and push and pull elements of the main drive shaft (Figure 7d) of the tool.

[0030] The present invention relates to a tool 10 with locking mechanisms intended for subsea applications. Tool 10 is adapted for use in a locking mechanism system 100, as illustrated in Figure 1. Tool 10 is adapted to be affixed to, maintained, and operated by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 20. Tool 10 can be used to connect a floating multiple quick-connect, MQC, to a fixed plate on a subsea structure. Tool 10 is fully hydraulically operated. The tool 10 is adapted to provide a robust interlock between an outer/floating plate 50 with couplers, with the floating plate 50 being disposed at each end of a bundle 55, and an inner/fixed plate 40 with couplers, the plate being Fixture 40 is disposed in a host structure or a subsea installation 30 or 31. Tool 10 is adapted to be able to engage floating plate 50 and then fixed plate 40 in order to couple and connect together floating plate 50 and the fixed plate 40, including all its multiple dedicated lines such as, but not limited to, for example, fluid, hydraulic, chemical, electrical, etc. Disconnection of the plates is enabled by means of tool 10. The beam 55 can be used to connect two subsea installations 30, 31.

[0031] The tool 10 guides the floating plate 50 to the fixed plate 40 and connects the two elements together. Tool 10 is then removed from plates 40, 50 and can be used in another connection.

[0032] Subsea host structures/facilities 30, 31 may be, but are not limited to, for example, christmas trees, pipelines, subsea distribution units (SDUs), umbilical termination assemblies (UTA), etc.

[0033] Plates 40, 50 may be, but are not limited to, for example, perforated multi/multiple quick connect/connector (MQC) plates. Fixed plate 40 and floating plate 50 comprise both thick and thin guide means.

[0034] Figure 2 shows the tool 10 together with the fixed plate 40 and the floating plate 50, to be coupled or connected to each other. Alternatively, when desired or necessary, the two plates 40, 50 can be unlocked and/or disconnected by means of tool 10. ROV 20 is coupled to tool 10 during the operations mentioned above.

[0035] Referring to Figure 3, for the coupling operation, the tool or mechanism 10 is taken to the floating plate 50 by means of an ROV 20 and engages and/or initiates the anchoring with the plate 50. The slip bushing 121 with teeth 11 (see, for example, Figure 3) on tool 10 fully engages with a locking collar 51 on float plate 50 in alignment with a sleeve 53 of the float plate

50. One or more plungers 12 in tool 10 extend(s) outwardly and radially into an outer circumferential groove 52 disposed on the inner side of sleeve 53 of floating plate 50 so that tool 10 engages floating plate 50. In this way, tool 10 locks onto floating plate 50.

[0036] With reference to Figures 4a to 4c, the ROV 20 allows the tool to be locked to the floating plate 50, which is then carried to the fixed plate 40 of the installation or assembly 30. Then the closing collar 51 of the floating plate 50 is engaged with a fixed central spigot 41 of the fixed plate 40. In the current position, the locking collar 51 cannot rotate as it is engaged with the fixed central spigot

41. While engaged with the central fixed post 41, the locking collar 51 can slide around the circumference of the fixed post 41.

Reference is now made to Figures 5a to 5c. Once the float plate 50 is pulled into position, the lock collar 51 rotates and then the lock collar bolts 54 are placed behind the spike bolts 44, thus locking the float plate 50 to the fixed plate 40. One or more locking bolts 17 is (are) disposed in a cone 18 at one end of a main drive shaft 15 of tool 10. Each locking bolt 17 is movably disposed in a respective bolt hole of the tool. Cone 18. The locking ferrules 17 have a toroidal outer shape, and several bolts arranged around the cone 18 will form a segmented ring shape, as seen in Figure 5c. Each locking bolt 17 comprises buttons for holding the locking bolt 17 within the cone 18.

7IM

[0038] The locking bolts 17 engage an internal groove 42 of the fixed post 41 by extending a drive rod 16 and cone 18 within the main drive shaft 15 of the tool 10. In the current position, the locking collar 51 does not it can rotate as it is engaged with the fixed spigot 41. Thus, the tool 10 is locked onto the fixed plate 40.

[0039] The main drive shaft 15 of tool 10 is then retracted in order to pull floating plate 50 to fixed plate 40, so that each row, among the multiple rows of a respective fixed plate coupler, is connected or coupled sealingly to the other respective row among the multiple rows of the other respective floating plate coupler. The plungers 12 of the tool 10 are retracted, which will then allow rotation of the slip bush 121 of the tool 10 and the teeth 11 of the slip bush 121. In the current position of the plate, the slip bush 121 rotates by means of an arrangement of rack 71 and pinion 72 shown in Figure 3, and locking collar 51 will rotate to the locked position and lock floating plate 50 to fixed plate 40. Rack 71 and pinion 72 arrangement is connected to slide bush 121 by by means of at least one connecting bracket 75 shown in Figure 3. The rack 71 and pinion 72 arrangement can be driven by a hydraulic motor 70 shown in Figure 3. The hydraulic motor 70 can be driven by the source of hydraulic fluid 25. source of hydraulic fluid 25 can be disposed, in a known manner, on the ROV 20 (see Figure 1), and connected, in a known manner, to the tool 10. After the floating plate 50 is fixed or locked to the fixed plate 40, tool 10 is des locked from fixed plate 40. Locking bolts 17 disengage from internal groove 42 of fixed post 41 by retracting drive rod 16 and cone 18. Plungers 12 are disengaged, and the tool is unlocked from fixed post 41 of plate fixed 40, i.e. from the fixed plate

40. Tool 10 is unlocked from floating plate 50 and ROV 20 moves in the reverse direction, thereby removing tool 10 from floating plate 50.

[0040] In other embodiments, different groove shapes, such as trapezoid, and/or a different number of grooves, may be possible. However, these modalities must have the same functionality specified above. The groove, or grooves, must mechanically resist locking bolts 17 pulled axially outward. The groove, or grooves, must also push the locking bolts 17 radially inward when retracting tool 10. For example, a square groove may not satisfy the last requirement.

[0041] If it is desired to unlock the floating plate 50 from the fixed plate 40 in order to separate them from one another, the sliding bush 121 rotates in a manner described above, and the locking collar 51 rotates to the unlocked position, unlocking thus floating plate 50 from fixed plate 40. Plungers 12 are then extended in order to lock tool 10 to floating plate 50. Locking bolts 17 are disengaged with main drive shaft 15 fully extended. Then tool 10 and floating plate 50 can be removed from fixed plate 40.

[0042] As seen in Figure 3, the locking tool 10 comprises a hollow slip bush 121 and a hollow front housing 101 mounted on the slip bush 121. The main drive shaft 15 is axially movable within the slip bush 121 The main drive shaft 15 can be hydraulically driven. Drive rod 16 is axially movable within main drive shaft 15. Drive rod 16 is hydraulically driven in order to operate cone 18 and thus locking bolts 17.

[0043] With reference to figures 6a to 6b, the rear end section 26 of the main drive shaft 15 is provided with a chamber 29, with a piston of the tappet 28 being arranged to hydraulically actuate the tappet 16. The spring of retraction 27 is forced between tappet piston 28 and an inner surface 33 of chamber 29 disposed on main drive shaft 15. The push rod cap seals chamber 29 and provides a rear end stop for the push rod piston 28 .

[0044] With the rear end of the main drive shaft 15 and the rear end of tool 10, it is meant here that the end of tool 10 will face the ROV 20 holding tool 10. To the front end of the drive shaft Main drive 15 or tool 10 is the end section that will face the floating plate and fixed plate elements when tool 10 is connected to such elements. The terms "rear" and "front" thus define a direction pointing from the end that is closest to the ROV 20 when tool 10 is running, toward the end that is closest to the elements being connected or disconnected.

[0045] Once the hydraulic power is removed, the push rod 16 will be retracted by the retraction spring 27, thus the cone 18 will allow the locking bolts 17 to be retracted when the tool is being pulled out, as the locking bolts 17 will no longer be in an engaged or locked position, see Figures 5a to 5b. This will ensure that the surface vessel is not anchored to an end close to the center of the host structure.

Reference is made to Figures 7a to 7c. Pistons 12 on tool 10 are also hydraulically actuated. The outer circumferential groove 52 is disposed on the inner side of the sleeve 53 of the floating plate 50 and is adapted to receive the plungers 12. As seen in Figure 3, a hydraulic source channel 9 is provided in the outer casing/front housing 101 of the tool 10 A circumferential groove 21 is arranged on the outer side of the slip bushing 121 in fluid connection with the hydraulic channel 9. Two circular sealing elements of the central compartment 101 are arranged on each side of the groove 21 in order to obtain a sealed connection with the front compartment 101 (i.e., a sealed connection between the slip bushing 121 and the front compartment 101). Hydraulic fluid for pistons 12 is delivered from hydraulic channel 9 to circumferential groove 21, which delivers fluid to one or more radial holes 19 in slide bush 121, which, in turn, delivers fluid to a or more channels/axial channels 191 in the slip bushing 121 leading to one or more plunger holes 13, each accommodating the respective plunger 12.

[0047] A piston spring 22 is disposed around each piston 12, providing tension when pistons 12 are hydraulically actuated. When hydraulic power is removed, pistons 12 are pushed inward by means of piston springs 22.

[0048] Furthermore, on its outer side, the plunger 12 has a hemispherical shape or shape. The inner circumferential groove 52 of the floating plate 50 will also have a correspondingly corresponding semi-spherical shape or shape to mate with the spherical shape or shape of the plunger 12. This is done to assist the retraction of the plungers 12, in the case of the plunger springs 22 they are not providing sufficient force to press the pistons out of groove 52. Easy retraction is achieved due to the specific corresponding shape or shape of piston 12 and groove 52, and the forces applied to pistons 12 from movements of floating plate 50 and /or tool 10.

[0049] Each plunger 12 comprises a plunger collar 24 around its inner circumference. Each plunger 12 is disposed in the bore of the plunger 13 in the slide bush 121. A plunger retainer 23 is disposed in the bore 13 to be in a boundary position against the collar of the plunger 24. This is done in order to keep the plungers 12 within the slip bushing 121.

[0050] Figure 7d shows a detail drawing of the elements that are pushing and pulling the main drive shaft 15 during operation. A main piston 60 is attached to the main drive shaft 15 around the circumference of the main drive shaft 15. At the outer circumference, the main piston 60 is movably connected to a main cylinder 61. At the first and second ends of the cylinder main cylinder 61, there are first and second main cylinder plugs 62, 63 respectively. The first end cap 62 is disposed on the rearmost end section 61, while the second end cap 63 is disposed on the front end section of the cylinder 61. The end caps 62 and 63 function as seals and end stops for the main piston 60.

[0051] A first fluid chamber 64 is formed between the first cap of the main cylinder 62, the main piston 60, the main drive shaft 15 and the main cylinder 61. The main cylinder 61 will be forming the outer surface of the first fluid chamber. fluid 64 and main drive shaft 15 will be forming the inner surface of chamber 64. Correspondingly, a second fluid chamber 65 is formed between main piston 60, second main cylinder plug 63, main drive shaft 15 and the main cylinder 61. The first fluid chamber 64 will be on the rear side of the main piston 60, while the second fluid chamber 65 will be on the front side of the main piston 60.

[0052] To push the main drive shaft 15 towards the floating plate 50 and/or the fixed plate 40, the first fluid chamber 64 is filled with hydraulic fluid, while the fluid in the second fluid chamber 65 is channeled outwards. of that chamber. When the main drive shaft 15 is pushed forward, the plungers 12 will be pushed out of the circumferential groove 52 of the floating plate 50, as described above.

[0053] To pull the main drive shaft 15 in the opposite direction to the fixed plate 40, the second fluid chamber 65 is filled with hydraulic fluid, while the fluid in the first fluid chamber 64 is channeled out of this chamber. When the main drive shaft 15 is pulled back, the pistons 12 will be pulled towards the main shaft 15. The fluid channels that supply hydraulic fluid to the first 64 and second 65 fluid chambers are not shown in the drawing, but will remain. It is evident to the person skilled in the art to arrange fluid channels in connection with each fluid chamber 64, 65.

[0054] Modifications, alterations and additional adaptations of the present invention will naturally occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, as expressed and stated in the following patent claims.

Claims (10)

1. Locking and unlocking tool (10) for at least one of: connecting and/or disconnecting a set of a floating plate (50) and a fixed plate (40), the locking and unlocking tool (10) being characterized by comprising a slip bush (121) and a front housing (101) mounted on the slip bush (121) and partially covering the slip bush (121), a main drive shaft (15) being axially movable within the sliding bush (121), a push rod (16), having a cone (18) at one end thereof, is axially movable within the main drive shaft (15) in order to operate in the radial direction one or more locking bolts (17), the locking and unlocking tool (10) further comprising one or more pistons (12) in the slip bush (121), each piston (12) extending outwardly and radially when subjected to a force, the sliding bushing (121) additionally comprises one or more radial holes (19), each radial hole (19) being connected, on one side, to a hydraulic source channel (9) in the front compartment (101) and on the other side. side, to a respective axial channel (191), each axial channel (191) being disposed in the sliding bush (121) and dedicated for additional connection to its respective piston (12), said one or more pistons (12) being hydraulically operated by a hydraulic fluid supplied by a source of hydraulic fluid (25). [see page 7] 2. Locking and unlocking tool (10), according to claim 1, characterized in that, on its external side, each piston (12) has a semi-spherical shape. 3. Locking and unlocking tool (10), according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that each locking bolt (17) has an external toroidal shape, with several locking bolts (17) arranged around the cone (18) will form a segmented ring shape. 4. Locking and unlocking tool (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each piston (12) comprises a piston collar (24) in its inner end section, each piston (12 ) is disposed in a piston hole (13) in the slide bush (121), a piston retainer (23) being disposed in the hole (13) so as to be in a boundary position against the piston collar (24) , and a piston spring (22) is disposed between the piston retainer (23) and the piston collar (24). 5. Locking and unlocking tool (10), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a rear end section (26) of the main drive shaft (15) is provided with a chamber (29), of which a tappet piston (28) is disposed, a retraction spring (27) is forced between tappet piston (28) and the inner surface (33) of chamber (29). 6. Locking and unlocking tool (10), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - a main piston (60) is fixed to and surrounding the main drive shaft (15), - a main cylinder (61) being slidably connected to and surrounding the main piston (60), - the main cylinder (61) having a rear end and a front end, a first main cylinder cap (62) disposed at the rear end of the main cylinder and a second cap of main cylinder (63) disposed at the front end of the main cylinder (61), - the plugs (62, 63) are slidingly connected to the main drive shaft (15) and secured to the end sections of the main cylinder. Locking and unlocking tool (10), according to claim 6, characterized in that a first fluid chamber (64) is formed between the main drive shaft (15), the main cylinder (61) and the first plug of main cylinder (62) and main piston (60), and a second fluid chamber (65) is formed between main drive shaft (15), main cylinder (61) main piston (60) and second main cylinder cap (63), the fluid chambers (64, 65) being in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid source (25), whereby hydraulic fluid can be inserted or left outside the fluid chambers (64 , 65) to move the main piston (60) and thus the main drive shaft (15). 8. System (100), characterized in that it is adapted for at least one of: connection and/or disconnection of a set of a floating plate (50) and a fixed plate (40), the set of floating plate (50) and plate fixed (40) comprising multiple connectors, the system comprising a locking and unlocking tool (10) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7, a remotely operated vehicle (20), the floating plate (50) being arranged in a end of a bundle (55), and the fixed plate (40) mounted to a host structure or subsea installation (30, 31), the locking and unlocking tool (10) being connectable to the ROV (20) and is additionally adapted for at least one of: connection and/or disconnection of the boards (40, 50). [see page 4] 9. System (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that the host structure (30, 31) is at least one of: christmas tree, pipe, subsea distribution unit (SDU), set of umbilical termination (UTA) System (100) according to any one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that the plates (40, 50) comprise coarse (81, 82) and fine (83, 84) guiding means.